The Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs have held off a fast finishing Wentworthville Magpies by a slim margin of 4 points, advancing them to a New South Wales Cup preliminary final.

Played in perfect sunny conditions at the hallowed turf of the Belmore Sports ground, one could be forgiven in thinking it was a Bulldogs family day, with senior players including Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard and Daly M medal winner Ben Barba in attendance. The boys enjoyed a well earned rest after their big win against Manly the night before in the NRL. They happily signed autographs for the fans whilst supporting their NSW Cup team mates.

Wentworth didn't let the home ground or fans intimidate their game and they were the first to score. Full back Jarome MacKenzie stormed down the middle of the field for a try. Jason Wehbe converted for an excellent start by the Magpies 6-0.

Canterbury Bankstown responded with the easiest of tires when Drury Low strolled over for 4 points. Bryson Goodwin missed the extras, 6-4 Magpies.

The game was turning into a shout-out, with Wenty responding to the Dogs try when Troy Savage pounced on a chip kick gaining a try. Jason Wehbe was again accurate and the Magpies increased its lead 12-4.

The shoot-out continued with Martin Taupau getting over the try-line under the posts for the Dogs and Bryson Goodwin making sure of the conversion. Wenty still led 12-10.

The Bulldogs were stepping up to the scoring challenge from Wentworthville and were quickly on the board again when Brett Lane scored, Goodwin gained the extras and the Dogs gained the lead 16-12.

Wenty defended grimly as Canterbury Bankstown applied enormous pressure. Bryson Goodwin defied the Magpies defenders by using every centimeter of space to score a corner try. He kicked truly for the extras, Dogs 22-12.

The scoring avalanche continued for Canterbury after Dean Halatau offloaded a slick pass to Drury Low who scored his second try of the game. Goodwin’s kick was no good,The Dogs dominating 26-12.

In a superb try for Canterbury which saw a succession of crisp passes, Brett Lane scored his second try, Bryson Goowin missed again, but his team had a big 30-12 lead at the half-time break.

The second half was just as entertaining as the first. Canterbury Bankstown began brilliantly when Drury Low gained his hat-trick of ties with a spectacular grab off a high bomb, increasing the Dogs lead. Goodwin couldn't convert 34-12.

Finally Wentworthville were able to get back on the scoreboard, when Jarome MacKenzie made it over for his second try of the game. Jason Wehbe made sure of the extras and the Magpies had a pulse 34-18.

Amazingly the Dogs responded with the red-hot winger in Drury Low who planted down his fourth try of the game. Bryson Goodwin could have closed out the match earlier had his kicking boots been on, missing another conversion 38-18 in favour of the Dogs.

Wentworthville would not go away and soon posted a couple tries via Dan Penese and Vai Toutai. Incredibly the Magpies had a sniff of victory and to their credit applied enormous pressure on the Bulldogs. Jason Wehbe’s accurate kicking ensured his team would stay in touch 38-30.

Wenty were soon over the line again and within striking distance of the Dogs lead when Troy Savage scored his second try of the game. Unfortunately Wehbe missed the conversion. Dogs held the lead 38-34.

After a flurry of plays in which neither side were able to capitalize, the hooter rang out at Belmore ending a sensational qualifying final. Both sides gave their all, with Canterbury Bankstown earning a well deserved break. Wentworthville were not disgraced, putting in a superb effort. The double chance allows them to live another day and take on the Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers at Leichhardt Oval next Sunday. The Dogs have a break before taking on the winner of the Newtown v North Sydney game in two weeks time.

Wentworthville Hooker Lancen Joudo feeds the ball from the scrum during the qualifying final v Canterbury Bankstown